Beyond surprise Union 1 TFC 0

Why, why, why, why?

Why do they look like they are competing, in the battle and then the inevitable fold in the end?

Why have subs if they are unable to add something to the team. I wanted to see Earnshaw added to Dike.

Facing 10 men, TFC looked like the team playing short. The inability to score is embarrassing.


TFC 2013 will soon be over. One more road game in Chicago, one more home game against Montreal.

I think that the limit for torture and misery was reached on Canada Day.

Multiple Designated Player rule - The day the fun started

My head is swirling with the names of players who would look good in TFC red. The day of the MLS Cup 2010 press conference I was also expecting information on changes to the Designated Player rule. Here it comes, I thought, when GOL TV interviewed The Garber. But The Garber ducked the DP question from Lee Godfrey. The commish seemed to be putting any roster moves on the back burner. Clearly, I am not a poker player. So just 48 hours later the DP rule was changed. The details are here. Suddenly TFC fans are agog (that's right, I said agog) with the possibilities of a star player or two.

Maybe, just maybe, Mo saw this coming. It would explain his low key approach to trialists during the pre-season. Why bother with out of contract players who can perhaps make a small splash, when bigger fish can be caught in the summer? I would like to see myself as gliding above both a sea of Mo haters, without ever landing on that small island of Mo apologists. Mistakes will always be made when building a team. A little humility goes a long way in the world of bloggers. I was one of those fans who was convinced that Ali Gerba was a great signing for TFC. Mistakes by the lake existed long before Mo came to town

I think that New York sets the pace for Toronto when it comes to how quickly to pursue players. New York has their new stadium and they need to generate buzz. How do you break through in a market dominated by Knicks, Jets and Giants, Yankees and Mets? You follow the Cosmos model. So a NYRB team that contains Angel, Henry and Raul(?) would need a TFC response. Or do you move first and obtain younger stars that will win the Cup this year and let NYRB bring in the bigger names next year? Stay tuned, this will be fun.

Charleston 0 - 0 TFC. Forgive and Forget?

Still Kicking is away this weekend, joining the jet set, skiing in Cortina d’ampezzo. Ok, not falling for that one? Would you believe he’s on the ski hill at Centennial Park? Thought as much. So, once again I find myself as a trialist in Stillkicking’s pre-season friendly. Maybe I’ll be signed, maybe not. Really, the best I can hope for is the odd performance off the bench when the main talent needs a rest!

One of the things I’ve noticed about the TFC chatrooms is their tendency to change rapidly. The latest case is the release of Robinson and Serioux. Fans call for blood, hangings, disembowelment and even worse. How could we release these wonderful, loyal players? Of course, the fire was fed by Serioux’s own comments. Wow! I was ready for Preki to be fired by the second or third match of the season. And then, Bang! Ibrahim Said shows up in camp and things change, people are happy again. Players want to come here! Maybe MLSE isn’t so bad after all! Then, we add in Zamperini, who looked composed and confident tonight in his half of central defence. We should be over the moon, right? Said and Zamperini, combined with Kayizzi and Gargan (should they still be in the picture) might just make us forget all about Carl Robinson (and Serioux, Guevara, Vitti, Falinga, and a host of others), right? I’m sure Mo thinks so.

The interesting thing for me tonight was the first half formation. I’m going to call it a 4-1-4-1, even though I heard people call it other things. I think the use of Sanyang as a defensive midfielder with JDG playing ahead of him in a distributing role is inspired, and DeGuzman became more comfortable with it as the game progressed. Sanyang was there to save Nick Garcia’s backside, and he did that at least once. It still seems that Nicky needs the help.

The frustrating thing is the lack of finish. Now, I know that lots of people think Ali Gerba is a ‘fat (insert expletive here)’, but I don’t think so. I just think he is being used wrong. In fact, I think we’re the wrong team for him. I do think he’s a pylon. And what do you do with a pylon in front of the net? You try to deflect the ball off it into the net. And that’s the kind of goals we’ve seen Gerba score for Canada, odd, back heel kind of stuff. TFC doesn’t put near enough pressure on the opposing team’s 18 yard box for Gerba to score goals. How many of our chances came within the penalty area? Very few is my answer. Gerba scores from chaos, and when he’s not supported by anyone creating chaos in the box, forget it. And, why was he taking free kicks from distance? Gerba is certainly not formed in the lone striker mould; White may be, but Gerba, not a chance.

Overall tonight, the passing and possession was good. There seemed to be some thought to the formation. Young guys and trialists were impressive. What happens now?
Well, for a large portion of the game we dominated a lower tier side who are early on in their training camp. Impressive, no. Positive, yes. It looks good for a start. But, it seems as if there might be a lot of low scoring drama in TFC’s future.

There are lots of pieces missing yet, and the puzzle could still fall apart. If Said and Zamperini are just looking for a Dickovesque free trip to gain interest from other clubs things could go downhill rather quickly. Not to mention the rather thin roster, the possibility for injury and the rumoured salary cap issue.

Personally, I think that Preki and Mo will not last long. Even though I try to be positive, I think they will have made a giant, nasty, mean-spirited mess out of our team and be quickly relieved of their duties. If things turn out for the good, we make a few signings, win a few games and fortunes turn around I am willing to forgive and forget. If we go the way I think we’re going to go, I’m just willing to forget. Forget about Mo, forget about Preki and look forward to TFC 2.0.

Trout

Toronto shows perpetual offense, defeats KC 2-0

There is something sweet brewing down by Lake Ontario. That once wonky home team is showing signs of coming together on a fast-track schedule that not even the crazy optimistic few were ever predicting. We fans spent the winter complaining about the lack of ingredients going into the stew-pot, but if this continues who cares about the slow cooking method that got us to this point ?
Toronto FC won their second home game today, defeating the Kansas City Wizards 2-0. Amado Guevara scored both goals and if the first one was just taking advantage of bad KC defending, the second was brilliant and inspired. He curled in a high free kick, over the wall and under the crossbar. The build-up to that goal was worth the price of admission. Robert and Guevara both over the ball and deliberating to the point that Robinson ran back with what seemed to be an offer to mediate. No need for intervention, it was just part of the drama.
TFC have yet to allow a goal in two home games and have created their very first three game winning streak. Greg Sutton in goal and the back four are working together smoothly. Although you were always aware of KC’s ability to counter-attack, even the eventual Marco Velez mistake was corrected and countered. It is unfair to mention the Velez scary moment, he has looked strong and steady at BMO Field to my eye.
Every midfielder made a complete contribution. I am willing to give a huge salute to Carl Robinson who may have played his best ever game in a TFC uniform that I have witnessed. He was everywhere, tracking and disrupting the KC attack and distributing the ball crisply and smartly when Toronto had the ball. He seemed to know the Wizard attacking strategy better than they did. Lauren Robert had a productive first half as Toronto did everything short of scoring. Robert does tire in the second half and I am hoping that his stamina can improve for the hot months to come. I was silently willing John Carver to sub Robert for at least 15 minutes before he did. But Carver's delay meant that Robert was there as a free kick threat/decoy on the spectacular second goal. There is no doubt that the burst of energy that Jarrod Smith brought to the left flank was startling and we should see more of him, possibly earlier.
Maurice Edu played well,, but he seems to be still adjusting to the new trio around him (Guevara, Robert and Ricketts). Speaking of adjustments, Ricketts and Wynne seem to be on different pages. The potential to be mined there is considerable. I liked that Carver switched his wingers, Ricketts and Robert, from time to time.
Danny Dichio continues to work hard, but looks surrounded by defenders most of the time in this new alignment. Guevera seems to play a fluid role, but I think he is more connected to the midfield than he is to Dichio. Danny Dichio is still a big part of this team, but if the rumours of a summer Designated Player striker signing have any truth to them, his days as a starter may be numbered.
PS- I have to share my bleat on the release of Tyler Hemmings. You have to hope that it is a situation where he goes somewhere to get playing time and a bigger paycheque. The TFC record on developing Canadian talent is crappy and needs some attention.

Rohan Ricketts enters, Collin Samuel exits....

The TFC line-up continues to evolve. Rohan Ricketts has been released by Barnsley in England and has signed with Toronto.
This meant that Collin Samuel was released from the roster. Ricketts has been on trial for a couple of weeks and his signing had been rumoured.

I have mixed emotions when saying farewell to Collin Samuel. As a TFC fan you wanted him to do well. You wanted him to put together his strength and speed into a smooth performance and get some results. He did score a couple of goals at the end of last season. That was a good as it got. He was brought over as a back-up who could play striker or midfield. The injuries of 07 made him a starter and the great goal drought still haunts him. The Columbus penalty miss was his last chance in many ways. Time to move on.

There is no denying that MLS has raised the bar on talent on most teams this year. Samuel was a bit player on the worst team. TFC knows that there has to be a great leap forward to compete in the East. Robert, Guevara and now Ricketts have been added in a short period. Los Angeles on Sunday has the attention of TFC Nation.

Post mortem - week two

Forgive me, but I do not have the heart to go through Saturday's 4-1 loss to DC United with what passes for full analysis around here. If John Carver is a coach with a sense of decency he would not allow his players to watch a replay of this game. Best to treat it as a game already forgotten.
That's the best strategy for allowing your players to move on to the next game, but I will mull over a few points. The heart of a fan does take strength from these low points as they make the high points to come that much sweeter. At least that's the theory..
The TFC defending needs attention. DC's attackers were free and clear in those first minutes. My replay of the first goal had Ty Marshall getting out of the way of a shot (which makes sense since you do not want to deflect and make your keeper miserable) but his action resulted in his being down on the ground, completely out of it, while DC in numbers where descending on the loose ball. Greg Sutton did make some saves sprinkled amongst the goals, but his performance still leaves the role of #1 keeper still to be determined. Brennan and Wynne have better games ahead of them as left and right back, but the Marshall and Velez central combo needs to end. A healthy Julius James will be played centrally and perhaps also fellow rookie Pat Phelan. Perhaps trades will bring in defenders. In the meantime, Brennan could come back to the centre and Todd Dunivant could retake the left back spot.
(Both Dunivant and Samuel were said to have been left back in Toronto due to injuries)
There is always a sense of reality check when TFC meets DC United. Clearly, in my seldom clear mind, they are the class team of MLS and the true measure of Toronto's progress or lack thereof. In season 1 TFC did manage to beat New York and Chicago, tie NE and Columbus but we were never close to DC. So last night one started watching the game with only a faint hope of a surprise result. A battle for a draw would have been reason for wild celebration. The total collapse in the first five minutes followed by the Kevin Harmse sending off was both a worst case scenario and something other than a shocking revelation. TFC is a team with changes ahead of it and I am not the only fan who sees the Lauren Robert signing as just the first of a series.
If we are able to add talent, the lack of finish shown by Jeff Cunningham will end his time with Toronto.
Robert showed a lot of promise in his first game. Although he did not score, his corners and free kicks and his second half give 'n go with Dichio was at least equal with what TFC was getting from Ronnie O. Sorry to bring up our traded midfielder, it does cheer me up to think of Robert on the left as the replacement for Andy Welsh. Robert is such a step up from last year's model of left side attack (Welshy). Lauren Robert is far from the answer on his own, but another midfielder or two and a striker who can find the net will all be wonderful moves. Let's just not play Harmse as a defensive answer to anybody for a while, OK ?
I think the late goal by Edu was the best thing a TFC could have asked for in that situation, After all DC was toying with Toronto for so much of the second half. Playing keep away and then coming forward whenever the mood struck them.
Now Toronto has their first goal, their first goal on the road and the prospect of only one more game before the long home stand begins. Here's hoping that they arrive in LA with at least on more player added to the squad. May this be the sound of scraping bottom with better times ahead.

Canada, the Faroe Islands of CONCACAF......

U23 qualifying semifinals for the Olympics took place in Nashville tonight. The final score was USA 3 Canada 0. TFC players involved were Maurice Edu and Marvell Wynne for the USA and Tyler Hemmings for Canada. Andrea Lombardo came on as a substitute in the second half and Josh Wagenner who recently had a trial with TFC was the Canadian keeper. Ok, I have had time to think about it. Faroe Islands have never finished third in any Uefa tourney. So it was a harsh reaction to just how hopeless things looked against USA.

I have to take back my comments regarding TFC's play in South Carolina. Seeing Edu and Wynne in action tonight was an electric reminder of how much talent those two have and judging the quality of Toronto's play without them is a fool's game. So that makes me the fool. Yes, Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore are the flashy strike force of the US attack, but Edu was always on the ball in behind them. He shows such poise directing traffic and feeding balls up to the front runners. Edu's great leap forward could be the key to TFC's success this year.
Marvell Wynne played a dazzling game. In the first half he was pressing forward from the back and he was the dominant player on USA's right flank. He played more defensively in the second half although I noted at least one run up to the inside of Freddy Adu that almost paid off.
On the Canadian side Tyler Hemmings played well. He was more of a factor in the second half, but it is so hard to attribute his play to anything other than the US playing well back and giving Hemming room to search in vain for a hole in their armour.

I am sure that I am not the only Toronto fan who let out an audible sigh when Andrea Lombardo was added to the Canadian attack. Tonight I officially fell off the Lombardo's " young and therefore could develop" wagon. Not that I was buckled in mind you. I will always be willing to be proven wrong on this as it will benefit TFC and Canada, but I don't see any creative vision or finishing talent there. When trying to run onto the ball he always seems to veer off in the direction the ball is never going to follow him to. His passes suffer the same fate and the less said about his shooting skills, the better.
So come Olympic time this summer TFC will lose two stars for a good stretch of time. Then again it would be a thrill to welcome them back to BMO with gold medals around their necks .....

We came, we saw, we sang

and now we dream.....
After Saturday's joyous final 2007 home game it is possible to be still on such a high that the cruel reality of "season over" may not have sunk in. TFC came, the faithful fans saw and Danny Dichio conquered.
Who expected this ?? Who thought that the beautiful game would have landed, flourished and launched something so strong, so filled with affection and celebration, so tribal in all the right ways, here in boring Toronto ?
We all fall in love in different ways, at different speeds and with different results. This cynical old grump, with his secret love for soccer, stood in the stands at the end and watched the fans dance in the middle of the pitch and understood that the "head over heels" love affair with TFC was deep and wide and strong.
Lets face it, most sporting experiences divide more than unite. Tickets tell you where to sit. Escalating prices make attending games a sporadic activity which lessens the passion of the fans. Luxury boxes basically create affluent, exclusive neighbourhoods in your midst. They are designed to convince you that someone else is having a better time than you. TFC throws that out the window. The players and coaches lapped the field at the end applauding the people in red and of course they start at the cheapest seats. The pitch invasion was filled with love. It was respectful of the team, it followed their lap of honour. It also sent a clear message, an anti-luxury box message if you will; the greatest fun happening here is in the heart of the truest, happiest fan. I hope that this feeling and the wonderful memories will carry all of us through the winter months ahead.
I want what every TFC fan wants ...no, expects ...a host of improvements:
Improved team,
Improved stadium,
Improved media coverage,
(and maybe improved recognition for little ol'me - the blogger who stuck to his keyboard and kept blogging all season long....)
Hell, I wanted improved seats in my section and price range - but you can't have everything when you are part of a movement.

I expect within a day or two I will be blogging about the off season speculation, those signings and draft choices and trades that will usher in the TFC of 2008.
So don't dream it's over. However, it is time for expressing thanks.
Thanks to family for supporting me through the season and encouraging me to give time and energy to blogging and trying to express my appreciation for the game.
Thanks to those who happily blogged for me on those handful of games that I could not make it.
Thanks to all who read the blog and double thanks to all who commented and triple thanks to those who added Mistake by the Lake to their blogrolls around the league.
And thanks to the team, players, coaches and suits, who despite the barren patches, showed a spirit that went beyond the results on the scoreboard and made being an obsessed, passionate fan a pure joy this season.
May this be the shortest winter of them all
cheers,
Still Kicking

Colorado Rapids 1 TFC 0 O must we suffer...

The first half tonight was typical TFC. There were no scoring chances of any type from them. The Samuel and Cunningham combo up front continues to fizzle. A defensive shell is all they had to offer.
Colorado was able to move the ball around the field without really penetrating into scoring territory. They were well spaced, and if not dangerous, they were at least cohesive.
Then the moment of hope. A nasty injury could have resulted from the rash two footed slide tackle launched by Belouchy. The red card was given without hesitation and TFC has the man advantage at the 36th minute. We have seen this story before (Real Salt Lake in September) . Carl Robinson was the player who managed to avoid injury.
After the moment of hope comes the moment of reckoning. In a corner kick set-up Chris Pozniak gets his hands on a Rapid player in front of the net and sends him flying. Perhaps it was just getting his hands on somebody and they made sure that they went flying, but a penalty kick awarded no matter the sequence. Goal scored by Colorado's Jovan Kirovski in the 44th minute.
The second half settled into a snore, You would never have known that TFC had a man advantage. The Colorado announcer said it best. "Toronto is not good enough in possession to take advantage of being a man up".
Give credit to Mo for switching things up at the half. Braz out for Tyler Hemming, Gabe Gala out for Miguel Canizalez. This was followed shortly after with Chris Pozniak off for Joey Melo. Although these moves did not have much of an impact, at least the young players are getting some playing time.
Marvell Wynne's speed continues to amaze. In the 65th minute he was able to get from a beaten position just outside the box and come back to win the ball from Clark inside the box.
The ref tonight, Kevin Stott, was excellent in this blogger's opinion, although the yellow card to Carl Robinson could have been avoided by a quicker call just seconds before.
Pablo Mastroeni of Colorado gets ejected in the final minute or two. WIth a two man advantage there is a real shot on net saved by a diving Rapid keeper, Bouna Coundoul.
The lack of attack is frightening. The same squad that had something happening at home against the Red Bulls returned to their punchless form. LA Galaxy next and they have something to play for.